Monday, July 12, 2010

Furadan is the trade name of Carbofuran, which is 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate (CAS number is 1563-66-2) manufactured by FMC Corporation. This pesticide is very successful in controlling pests in field of crops like watermelon, potatoes, beet, maize, sorghum, sunflowers, oilseed rape, alfalfa, peanuts, soya beans, sugar cane, rice, cotton, coffee, cucurbits, tobacco, lavender, citrus, vines, strawberries, bananas and other vegetable crops. Due to its cholinesterase inhibitor activity, carbofuran is considered a neurotoxin pesticide and is deadly to human beings, animals and birds.

Possibilities of Carbofuran dangers

Furadan is a systemic insecticide, in which the plant absorbs through the roots, and distributed mainly in vessels, stems and leaves. Usually fruits are not getting precipitated with traces, but some studies in India showed that it may precipitate in banana, or watermelon.

Furadan is water soluble and acts as systemic pesticide. Hence the chances of absorbing and storing as a metabolite in Watermelon is highly possible. Authorities in all countries must perform valid studies in this area to find the exact truth.

Watermelon and other fleshy fruits are on high risk while considering these facts. Many countries like USA already banned the presence of Carbofuran in any foods or fruits. On May 11 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that traces of carbofuran can no longer remain on food sold in the United States, whether domestic or imported,

This ban clearly indicates that the traces of Furadan or Carbofuran is present in many fruits and crops where they were cultivated by using this pesticide as prime insecticide. Kenya is another country that took strong measures against the use of carbofuran.

In their website, www.furadanfacts.com, FMC says” Furadan remains a useful product, vital to the sustainability of agriculture. FMC believes the proper use of Furadan does not create a risk to human health, wildlife, or the environment, and we will continue to promote its responsible use.”

But this claim cannot be accepted as it is stated. Until now , there is no clear studies about the after effects of prolonged consumption of mild traces of Carbofuran or its metabolites done anywhere in world. Developing countries like India and China still permit the use in paddy field and cotton fields.

Some of the trade names that are available in market :

'Curaterr' (Bayer)

'Furadan' (FMC)

'Agrofuran' (Sanonda)

'Carbodan' (Makhteshim-Agan)

'Carbosip' (Sipcam)

'Cekufuran' (Cequisa)

'Chinufur' (Agro-Chemie)

'Furacarb' (Aimco)

'Fury' (Nagarjuna Agrichem)

'Terrafuran' (Sanachem)

Now it is the time to react against this dangerous pesticide and I request my readers to share facts with me about the same subject so that a highly updated post can be published here.